10 Memphis food events you shouldn't miss, from Bridgerton Brunch to Grilled Cheese Fest

Several Memphis food and drink events in November should be on your calendar.

From wine dinners to a coffee expo to a grilled cheese festival, there is something for almost every interest. There is even a dining week highlighting restaurants in Downtown Memphis.

Here are 10 food and drink events you won't want to miss.

Pasqua Wine Pairing Brunch at Char

Char will host a special four-course brunch event on Nov. 4 to explore a selection of wines from the Pasqua family portfolio. Char will pair four wines from the Italian winery with a special prix fixe menu created by Chef Anthony Hatten for guests seated family-style in the private dining room.

Wine representative Tiffany Werne will present the wine pairings and tasting notes. The cost of the dinner includes a four-course brunch, wine pairings, tax and gratuity.

When: Noon-2:30 p.m. Nov. 4

Where: Char, 431 S. Highland St.

Cost: $75 per person

Tickets: eventbrite.com

Memphis Grilled Cheese Fest

The Memphis Grilled Cheese Fest is coming back this year for its cheesiest fest yet on Nov. 5.

Attendees will enjoy samples of grilled cheese goodness, both large and small made by local chefs, participating restaurants, and natural-born cheese lovers in an array of styles.

General admission tickets include admission to the festival, live music, a kids' zone and access to the adult game zone. Grilled cheese samples are provided by all participating teams in exchange for a small donation to Thrive Memphis. The team with the most donations will win Fan Favorite.

When: Noon-4 p.m. Nov. 5

Where: The Hi-Tone, 282 N. Cleveland St.

Cost: $5

Tickets: memphisgrilledcheese.com

A Taste of Japan

A Taste of Japan returns to Memphis Botanic Garden on Nov. 5 during the Memphis Japan Festival.

Offerings from an assortment of food trucks and food vendors will provide plenty of tasty tidbits for Japanese food lovers at the annual festival.

Bento boxes, Asian 7-spice brisket burrito, eggrolls, ramen, rice bowls and sushi burritos are just a few of the Japanese delicacies that will be served by JCafé, Kuya’s, Memphis AF Burrito, Mr. Casas Japanese & Mexican Grill, Pokcha’s Eggrolls, Sekisui and STIX. Soi Number 9 will add to the Asian flavor of the day with Thai food, and Got Munchies? with snacks.

When: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 5

Where: Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road

Cost: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors (62+); $7 students and children (2-12); free admission for children under 2 and Garden members.

Tickets: memphisjapanfestival.org

Downtown Dining Week

Downtown Dining Week is back for its 14th year.

The annual event brings together 50 Downtown restaurants offering special lunch and dinner menus. Many of the items are at a discount, designed to show new diners the best of what they offer.

It’s the one time of year you can enjoy a two- or three-course meal at some of Memphis’ top restaurants for as little as $20.23. At many restaurants, $20.23 two-for-one lunches along with special lunch menus are also offered. Some menus feature the most popular dishes, while others are specials created just for the week.

When: Nov. 6-12

Where: 50 restaurants in Downtown Memphis are participating. A complete list is online at downtownmemphis.com.

Online: downtownmemphis.com

Grind City Coffee Xpo

Calling all coffee lovers! Grind City Coffee Xpo is back for its fourth annual expo. This year's event is set for Nov. 11 at the new Bridges USA location.

This event is focused on coffee culture and everything that goes with it. From roasters to shops, the Xpo highlights the amazing people and passion who exist in the coffee community. Guests can enjoy coffee tastings, as well as attend coffee and cocktail demos.

Expect more than 20 vendors this year, including returning coffee roasters Dr. Bean’s, Coffee Central and Ethnos Coffee and new vendors JoJo’s Espresso, Mo-Bay Beignet Co. and Square Beans.

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 11

Where: Bridges USA, 477 N. Fifth St.

Cost: $39.19 per person for the early-bird 9 a.m. entry; $33.85 for an 11 a.m. entry; $28.52 for a noon entry.

Tickets: grindcitycoffee.com

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Vintage901 Perfect Pairings Brunch

Vintage901 will host its Perfect Pairings Brunch on Nov. 12 at The Lobbyist.

Guests will enjoy a four-course brunch tasting menu, prepared by Chef Jimmy Gentry of The Lobbyist, paired with a wine selection curated by Shelby County Commissioner Michael Whaley.

“We’re excited to work with Chef Gentry and Commissioner Whaley to provide a delectable brunch and wine pairing experience for our guests,” said Stephanie Ferreira, founder and CEO of Vintage901. “Their combination of knowledge is unmatched.”

Proceeds will go to the Vintage901 Wine + Food Scholarship to support students seeking careers in the culinary arts, oenology and viticulture.

When: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 12

Where: The Lobbyist, 272 S. Main St.

Cost: $115 per person, tax and gratuity included

Tickets: vintage901.org

Reharvest Memphis

Clean Memphis will host its annual event, Reharvest Memphis, on Nov. 16. to raise awareness of sustainability efforts to reduce food waste in Memphis.

This unique, immersive event will highlight the delicious connections between sustainability and food, with local chefs preparing hors d’oeuvres using surplus ingredients gleaned from grocery stores.

Featured chefs this year include Arturo Leighton and Sarah Cai of Good Fortune Co., Daishu McGriff of Shroomlicious Meals and Shane Wigginton and Becky Githinji of Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza.

Attendees mingle with the chefs and sample top-notch restaurant fare made from ingredients that might otherwise go unsold and uneaten. They will also be treated to complimentary beer, wine and signature cocktail and mocktail.

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov 16

Where: Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Drive

Cost: $75 per person

Tickets: eventbrite.com

Bridgerton Brunch at Biscuits & Jams

Dearest Readers, each of you is cordially invited to attend a Bridgerton-themed brunch at Biscuits & Jams on Nov. 18-19.

Biscuits & Jams owner Monique Williams has planned a fun (and tasty) brunch experience based on the popular Netflix series. Expect "the most exquisite" teas and cocktails while dining on cake stands filled to the brim with tea sandwiches, delicious scones, biscuits, confections, and brunch dishes of the highest quality.

Violinist Renicea Michelle will serenade guests from noon to 2 p.m. both days.

Reservations are recommended.

When: Nov. 18-19

Where: Biscuits & Jams, 5806 Stage Blvd., Bartlett

Reservations: biscuitsandjams.com

Miracle Pop-Up at The Liquor Store on Broad

It’s about to get a lot more festive on Broad Avenue.

The Liquor Store restaurant on Broad Avenue has once again partnered with New York-based Christmas pop-up bar Miracle to host “Miracle at The Liquor Store” for the holiday season. It will be the fourth time for the holiday pop-up.

From Nov. 24 to Jan. 1, The Liquor Store will be transformed into a holiday wonderland.

Miracle is a global pop-up concept that started in New York in 2014; it partners with bars and restaurants around the world to offer masterfully crafted Christmas cocktails in cheery holiday-themed settings. Miracle provides the festive cocktail recipes and festive barware.

Over-the-top, nostalgic holiday decorations have been designed by Memphis artist Lindsay Julien of She. Builds. Things.

When: Nov. 24-Jan. 1

Where: The Liquor Store, 2655 Broad Ave.

Online: theliquorstorediner.com

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Magnolia and Mistletoe

East Memphis restaurant Magnolia & May is turning into a holiday wonderland. The holiday-themed festivities called "Magnolia and Mistletoe" will run from Nov. 24 through the end of the year.

Expect a holiday-themed cocktail list with holiday glassware. Magnolia & May chef and owner Chip Dunham said the restaurant will be decorated for the holidays as well.

Reservations will be taken for the dining room, and the bar will be first-come, first-serve seating.

When: Nov. 24-Dec. 31

Where: Magnolia & May, 718 Mt. Moriah Road

Online: magnoliamay.com

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis food and drink events to attend in November 2023